Below is a transcript of Mr. Zarin’s speech at the inaugural SOMA Astronaut Summit from Nov 16, 2024. Inspiration4 astronaut Christopher Sembroski accepted the award on Mr. Isaacman’s behalf.
Here, at the University of Austin, we share Jared's commitment to pushing boundaries. Just as UATX was founded to challenge the current conventional thinking in higher education, Jared has challenged the traditional paradigms of spaceflight.
Good evening ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for being here. The following speech was co-authored by Samuel Indyk and Eitan Zarin. That's me. It is delivered on behalf of Sam, who unfortunately could not attend the conference today, but would like to remind you all how much he cares about the groundbreaking progress of the space industry.
Today, we recognize an individual who embodies the spirit of modern exploration and entrepreneurial innovation: Jared Isaacman - commander of the Inspiration4 and Polaris Dawn missions. While he cannot be with us here today, due to other commitments, his impact on space exploration and inspiration to future generations deserves our recognition.
As many of you know, Jared led the first all civilian mission to orbit in September 2021. Inspiration4, provided hope and wide-eyed wonder to millions of people around the world. During their three-day orbit, Jared and his crew conducted scientific research on human health in space and raised over $240 million for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. At age 16, Isaacman founded Shift4, a company that now handles around a quarter trillion dollars in transactions for restaurants, hotels, and stadiums. At age 19, Isaacman decided to get closer to his childhood dream of becoming an astronaut by learning how to fly.
He's now a highly experienced pilot with over 7,000 flight hours. He holds several world records including two speed-around-the-world flights in 2008 and 2009 that raised money and awareness for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Isaacman has also flown in over a hundred air shows as part of the Black Diamond jet team dedicating every performance to charitable causes.
In 2011, he co-founded Draken International, which trains pilots for the United States Armed Forces. Through the Polaris program, he has continued to advance civilian space flight capabilities, conducting research, testing new technologies, and creating procedures that will be crucial for future deep space missions.
In September 2024, he commanded the Polaris Dawn mission, which set several world records, including reaching the highest earth orbit ever flown by humans at 1400 kilometers and conducting the first commercial spacewalk. Jared and the crew also completed the first-ever crew demonstration of Starlink laser communication in space.
But these achievements aren't just records. They're stepping stones toward making space more accessible to humanity and eventually allowing us to become a multi-planetary species. Here, at the University of Austin, we share Jared's commitment to pushing boundaries. Just as UATX was founded to challenge the current conventional thinking in higher education, Jared has challenged the traditional paradigms of spaceflight.
Our institution believes in the power of bold ideas and the courage to pursue the values that Jared Isaacman exemplifies in every mission he undertakes. To our students here today, Jared's journey offers a powerful lesson. He wasn't born an astronaut. He dreamed of going to space since kindergarten and worked hard toward this dream.
He built his path to becoming an astronaut through determination and willingness to take calculated risks. He shows us that the future of space exploration is not limited to government agencies or traditional aerospace paths. It's open to entrepreneurs, innovators, and dreamers who are willing to work hard and think differently.
As we consider the future of humanity, we must remember that our greatest advances often come from those who dare to challenge the status quo. Through the Inspiration4 mission, Jared has shown us that private citizens can play a significant role in advancing space exploration, that commercial innovation can serve humanitarian causes, and that the barrier between Earth and outer space is becoming more permeable.
Every day in recognition of these achievements, we are honored to award Jared, Jared Isaacman the Torchlight Award. Jared will serve as an inspiration to future generations of students who dare to dream big and push the boundaries of what is possible. Thank you all for joining us in celebrating this remarkable achievement and the future of Civilian Space Exploration.
Eitan Zarin and Samuel Indyk are members of the founding class at UATX and students in Special Topics: Bioastronautics.
